We don't need no stinking BOXES!

[GoArmy]

All three hens are now laying, although not every day. The first hen laid her first two eggs outside, then settled on a corner of the coop. Naturally the other two put their eggs in the exact same place. Easy to find. But not in the nest boxes. I have golf balls in the nest boxes, just added some pine shavings. The can see the boxes and golf balls from the top perch, and I know they use that, because usually one or two is up there when I go out to shut things down at night. How in tarnation do I get them to lay the eggs in the boxes????

 

[Chick Norris]

Is the corner of your coop darker than the nest boxes? If so, try to make the boxes a little more private.

 

[Marcymom3]

Just had an image of little drapes covering the opening to the nest boxes.

 

[GoArmy]

Hmm. They are laying relatively near the window, so it's probably darker in the boxes.... I guess I could try little drapes. You think camo would be ok?

 

[Eggcessive]

I just went through the same thing 2-3 weeks ago. I had golf balls in nest boxes, and everybody laid eggs in the floor corners. I boiled their eggs every day and placed 1 in each nest box and removed the golf balls. Now, most eggs (2/3) are being laid in boxes, so I have removed boiled eggs and put the golf balls back. Hopefully, everyone else will copy their friends. The ancona who jumps the fence every morning to lay outside the yard had 8 eggs there yesterday when I finally found her nest, the little sneak.

 

[Marcymom3]

I'm thinking velvet with silk tassels.

 

[citychickx6]

Quote:

 

[bertman]

At least yours are laying. Ours are now 22 weeks and looking great, but no layers in the bunch. One of them is a squatter but she won't commit. Dammit.

I'd love to find some eggs in the corner of the run or the coop or maybe even in the nest box.

 

[marty8587]

I have a white cochin who won't lay in the boxes, but will lay on the floor of the coop and under bushes in the yard. I have to spy on her. If she wasn't so friendly and cute I'd get rid of her, but she's already a family favorite!

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Bertman, have you threatened them with the stew pot?